Research Article
The Social Costs of Working Abroad as a Non-Professional — An Examination of Semi-Skilled and Unskilled Migrant Labourers in Low-Paid Jobs
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-10
Received:
1 October 2025
Accepted:
15 October 2025
Published:
27 January 2026
Abstract: This paper provides a critical analysis of the profound social costs borne by semi-skilled and unskilled migrant laborers, a demographic often reduced to economic units in mainstream discourse. Moving beyond a narrow economistic perspective that prioritizes remittance flows, this study synthesizes sociological theory and empirical evidence to examine the human consequences of labor migration. It argues that the prevailing neoliberal migration regime is structured to create a disposable workforce, systematically externalizing social costs onto the workers, their families, and their communities of origin. The analysis dissects the multifaceted nature of these costs, including the disintegration of transnational family structures and the associated psychological impacts on children and spouses. It further explores the erosion of cultural identity and the experience of systemic exploitation, framed through theoretical lenses of precarity, structural violence, and social death. The paper details the severe physical and mental health toll exacerbated by legal precarity and lack of access to care, and it critiques the paradox of remittances, which often undermine long-term development in sending countries. Finally, the challenges of reverse culture shock and failed reintegration are examined. The paper concludes by advocating for a fundamental paradigm shift towards a more equitable and humane migration governance, outlining multi-scalar policy recommendations targeting international frameworks, host and sending country legislation, and grassroots empowerment to uphold migrant rights and dignity.
Abstract: This paper provides a critical analysis of the profound social costs borne by semi-skilled and unskilled migrant laborers, a demographic often reduced to economic units in mainstream discourse. Moving beyond a narrow economistic perspective that prioritizes remittance flows, this study synthesizes sociological theory and empirical evidence to exami...
Show More
Review Article
PEFC Certification: A New Standard for Sustainable Management
Xavier Fauque,
Lisa Pinamonti*
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
11-18
Received:
14 August 2025
Accepted:
25 August 2025
Published:
27 January 2026
Abstract: The new PEFC certification standard maintains adherence to the established principles of sustainable development certification, ensuring consistency with the framework that has guided forest certification for many years. This continuity provides stability and reliability, as the standard does not introduce fundamental changes to the certification process. Forest managers, owners, and industry stakeholders can continue to rely on this established framework that guarantees credibility and international recognition. This continuity preserves stakeholder confidence in the system, while maintaining the transparency and rigor that certification has always embodied. At the same time, the revised standard constitutes a significant evolution. It strengthens the certification framework by placing increased emphasis on the multifunctionality of forests, recognizing the diverse ecological, social, and economic benefits that forests provide. Beyond wood production, forests serve essential functions in maintaining biodiversity, protecting water resources, regulating soil quality, and making substantial contributions to climate change mitigation through carbon storage. They also offer spaces for recreation, cultural value, and community well-being, rendering them indispensable to society. By explicitly integrating these multiple functions into the certification requirements, the new PEFC standard reflects a more holistic understanding of forests as complex ecosystems. This shift ensures that certification remains relevant in addressing current environmental and societal challenges, while aligning with the expectations of citizens, consumers, and stakeholders worldwide. Thus, the standard balances continuity, stability, and progress, reinforcing its role as a reliable instrument for sustainable forest management.
Abstract: The new PEFC certification standard maintains adherence to the established principles of sustainable development certification, ensuring consistency with the framework that has guided forest certification for many years. This continuity provides stability and reliability, as the standard does not introduce fundamental changes to the certification p...
Show More
